Hiiraan Online
Tuesday, March 01, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – The president of the Kismayo-based Jubbaland state urged Somalia’s army to take over the security of regional states from foreign forces, saying that insecurity would continue without designating Somali army as the lead force providing security.
Mr. Ahmed Madobe was speaking on Monday after double bomb attacks on two restaurants in Baidoa town killed at least 30 people on Sunday. The attacks claimed by Al Shabab have also wounded at least 50 people.
“My advice is to get Somali forces take over the security of the regional states’ headquarters and institutions from AMISOM troops to achieve the self-sustenance goal.” Mr. Madobe said at a press conference in Kismayo town of Monday, using the acronym of AU forces in Somalia.
The 22000-strong force is protecting the western-backed Mogadishu-based government and some regional states in the country.
In addition, Mr. Madobe had faulted the international community for an ‘indisposition’ to help rebuilding the once mighty Somali army fractured by more than two decades of conflict in the horn of Africa nation, calling Somali government to review the security arrangements for the regional states in the country.
Somali government has formed several regional states last year as parts of efforts to spread the new federalism system across the country.
The latest attacks in Baidoa town come despite efforts by local officials to curb violence in the town which has seen attacks before, with more than 11 people killed in a suicide attack on the local administration’s headquarters in March last year.
The town which is the regional capital for Southwestern State, a regional administration led by the former parliament speaker of Somalia Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden is controlled by Ethiopian troops who are parts of the AU forces and Somali forces.
Posted by Aden Mohamed Warsame
Hiiraan Online
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